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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

. J. M. MEARS &, R. JENNINGS.

MATTRESS MACHINE.

No. 322,740. Patented July2l; 1885.

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o e J. M. MEARS & R. JENNINGS.

MATTRESS MACHINE. N No. 322,740. Patented July 21, 1885..

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NITED STATES I PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN MILHOLLAND MEARS AND RUSSELL JENNINGS, OF SEDALIA, MO.

MATTRESS-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming partof Letters Patent No. 322,740, dated July 21, 1885.

Application filed February 11, 1885. (No model.)

' To all whom it may concern:

' that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to machines or frames for filling or packing mattresses; and the obinterior construction.

ject of our improvements is to provide a simple and inexpensive machine of this class which will possess advantages in point of convenience and general efficiency, and by the use of which the mattress can be readily an compactly filled.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of our improved mattressmachine, the hinged lid or cover being elevated to show the Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the same closed and with the mattress in position. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view. Fig. 4 is a detail transverse sectional View. Fig. 5 is a corresponding view with the filling in position.

Corresponding parts in the figures are denoted by the same letters of reference.

Referring to the drawings, A designates a suitable box or receptacle, preferably of oblong or rectangular form, and comprising a bottom, a, longitudinal sides a a, and a transverse end .piece, a at its rear end, its other end being open to form the mouth a of the machine. The box is divided into two compartments by a transverse partition, B, the compartment 0 at the rear end being designed to contain the material from which the mattress is to be filled. The main compartment D is filled with the packing material before the mattress is adjusted in position upon the machine; and in this compartment works a longitudinally-sliding plunger, E, adapted to force the filling into the mattress, as will be hereinafter set forth. At the ends of the follower are provided laterally-projecting rods or handles (1 d, which pass through slots a formed in the side of the box and extending longitudinally from the partition B to a point near the open mouth of the machine.

The plunger is adapted to be forced in the compartment D by means of its handles d, projecting from the side of the box, and the handles also form the sliding bearings of the plunger. The handles are preferably centrally disposed at the ends of the plunger, so that the latter may be turned at desired angles within the compartment D, as illustrated in dotted lines, Fig. 3, of the drawings, to secure its most efficient action in relation to the packlng.

To the end a of the box is hinged a lid or cover, F, which is adapted to be folded down after the packing has been placed in the compartment D to retain the packing within the box as the plunger is operated to force it into the mattress.

The operation and advantages of our inven tion will be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which it appertains.

In practice any suitable filling which it is desired to use is placed in the compartmentD, and the cover is closed downto the position illustrated in Fig. 3. The mattress-case designated by the letter G, is then slipped or adjusted over the mouth of the box and over the cover, when the plunger is forced forwardly in the compartment D to force the filling compactly into the mattress-case. As the filling is forced into the mattress-case, it carries the mattress off the machine, when the open end of the mattress may be sewed up and it is ready for tufting. The closed end of the case may be hinged to the wall or other suitable place, as shown at H, Fig. 3, so that the machine may be turned up against the wall when out of use to secureeconomy in space.

We do not wish to be understood as limiting ourselves to the exact construction and arrangement of parts herein illustrated, as it is manifest that modifications may be made Without departing from the spirit and scope of our invention.

It will be observed that when the mattresscase is adjusted over the mouth of the box and incloses the free end of the hinged lid or cover, it serves to retain the cover down in position against the pressure of the filling as it is forced into the mattress-case, while the lid or cover in turn acts to prevent undue or accidental slipping of the mattress from-off the machine.

We are aware that a machine has been constructed for the purpose of stuffing or filling mattresses comprising a horizontal case having a cover hinged at one end and a follower or pusher between the cover and bottom with actuating-gear for forcing the contents of the case into a mattress cover or case. In this machine, however, theconstruction of the supporting-frame, the means for holding the cover down, and the actuating means would not permit a mattress-case to be drawn its entire length without folding over the box or filler.

The machine referred to does not include the partition and the lateral guide-handles upon the follower nor is it portable,

the longitudinal slots, and, the partition B,

forming a separate compartment in said box, all substantially as shown, whereby a mattress-case to be filled can be placed over the box, in the manner set forth.

In testimony whereof we affixour signatures in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN MILHOLLAND MEARS. RUSSELL JENNINGS.

\Vitnesses J AS. M. BYLER, M. M. BYLER. 

